Telehealth benefits are now a crucial part of comprehensive, modern employee health coverage.
Employees today place a high value on benefits that fit with their busy schedules and tight budgets. Nearly half of the employees in a recent survey said they had skipped or delayed getting medical care due to high costs – but the rising cost of insurance deductibles isn’t the only problem.
Many people skip appointments because they can’t afford to take time off work. Unfortunately, this usually leads to higher costs, and more complex medical problems later on. Neglected health issues can quickly become urgent, and costly.
That’s why both employers and employees are turning to telehealth benefits. Remote care reduces absenteeism, improves health outcomes, and makes care accessible—without disrupting the workday.
What is Telehealth and Why is it Crucial?
Telehealth is all about giving people access to medical care remotely – through mobile apps, phone calls, or even video meeting sessions.
It surged into the spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic, when both the public, and healthcare provided started embracing remote care options. By 2021, more than 37% of adults had used a telemedicine service, and numbers were even higher in some settings.
Even now that physical appointments are more accessible, many consumers prefer telehealth because it’s more flexible and convenient. Employees no longer need to take an entire afternoon off for a routine appointment.
Instead, they can connect with doctors from the break room or even from their cars during lunch. This flexibility is particularly valuable for parents of young children, who often struggle to arrange childcare or miss shifts when kids fall ill.
Beyond convenience, telehealth can significantly reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs. Many plans now include remote consultations with zero deductibles or copays, which means workers can see a medical provider without hesitation.
The Impact of Telehealth Benefits: Everybody Wins
Telehealth benefits are having a positive impact on everyone.
On a nationwide scale, one study found that telehealth reduced costs to the US health system by more than 50% – reducing expenses with redirects from ERs, urgent care centers, and more.
In the workplace, telehealth benefits drive positive results for both employees and employers.
The Benefits for Employees
For employees (everyday healthcare consumers), access to telehealth benefits can seriously reduce costs and enable more proactive health strategies.
Employees can take advantage of:
- Flexibility: Instead of reworking their entire schedule around an appointment, employees can consult with doctors at a time that suits them. It’s all about convenience and removing barriers to basic health services.
- Accessibility: Rural and underserved regions often face physician shortages, forcing residents to drive long distances for basic appointments. Others may have no car, no public transit, or limited time off. By offering telehealth benefits, employers make high-quality care available wherever workers live.
- Affordability: Employees can save money on co-pays and deductibles for hospital and clinic visits, and even access certain telehealth services for free with some plans. They also get to save money in the long-term, by using early intervention methods to prevent small issues from snowballing into major medical issues.
Plus, access to specialist services, like mental health support, can help to encourage employees to see assistance for issues they would typically ignore due to stigma.
The Benefits for Employers
For employers, telehealth benefits are an effective way to attract, retain, and support staff.
Already, studies show that 56% of employees say access to comprehensive health benefits can make or break their decision to work for, or stay with a company.
Flexible benefits, like healthshare plans, HSAs and telehealth can give employers a competitive edge in a talent-short market. Beyond that, telehealth solutions can lead to:
- Reduced absenteeism: Workers who can handle a medical consultation in 20 minutes during lunch are far less likely to miss half a shift. Employees who proactively manage their care are also less likely to need extended time off at a later date.
- Lower turnover: Employees appreciate the flexibility, and are less likely to seek out a job with more accommodating benefits. Claims costs also drop, thanks to fewer avoidable ER visits and earlier treatment of routine issues.
- Improved productivity: Healthy employees are more productive and efficient. When every team member has the right level of support, employers are more likely to benefit from better performance rates and revenue.
Mental health services delivered virtually can be extremely valuable too. From a financial perspective, investing in mental health pays off. Healthier emotional well-being translates to lower absenteeism, higher engagement, and fewer costly interventions later.
The Future: The Value of Telehealth Continues to Grow
According to research by SHRM, many employees now consider telehealth a non-negotiable element of their health plan.
Going forward, demand for telehealth benefits will only continue to grow – but solutions will also become more accessible. Many health providers are exploring ways to deliver more comprehensive telemedicine services remotely.
Some providers even offer specialized services, covering everything from dermatology and cardiology, to mental health support – allowing patients to receive expert assistance without a lengthy commute, or high deductible costs.
Within three to five years, the majority of routine care might be feasible through virtual visits. This will likely include medication management, nutritional counseling, and even certain types of physical therapy consultations.
This ongoing innovation should mean that employers can tailor packages to align with specific workforce needs and budget limits. Some companies may even choose to expand their benefits package with direct primary care options that offer specific telehealth services.
Why Employers Need to Take Action Now
Some employers might be able to have their own medical staff on-site, or manage the costs and side effects of prioritizing in-person care, but most will need to start prioritizing telehealth.
Telehealth ensures care continuity—even during public health emergencies or weather disruptions. It strengthens resilience, boosts performance, and reduces long-term costs.
Now is the time to compare plans:
- Evaluate provider networks
- Understand mental health coverage and chronic care support
- Review telehealth-specific co-pays and employee engagement tools
Encourage workers to look at plan details, from telehealth copays to included mental health benefits, reinforcing your commitment to transparency.
Compare Pricing on the Best HealthShare Plans Available
Stay Competitive with Telehealth Benefits
Overlooking the importance of modernizing your benefits package isn’t an option.
Telehealth aligns with evolving expectations around work-life balance, supports the needs of evolving employees, and helps to keep businesses running smoothly.
Used correctly, telehealth benefits can cut costs for business leaders and employees alike, foster a culture of consistent and proactive wellbeing, and help companies to grow.
If you want to remain relevant, reduce absenteeism, and benefit from more consistent costs, while giving employees access to quicker, more convenient care, now is the time to act.
Contact an HSA for America Personal Benefits Manager (PBM) today to learn more about how you can make telehealth benefits your company’s strategic advantage.
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